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It seems to me that much of my day revolves around food. Of course for the last nine months I have been making a pie each day, but that is only one of the many ways that I find myself focused in the kitchen. There are days when I am busy making a pot of soup or a casserole for a friend in need, while other times I find myself testing gluten-free recipes for my neighbor. If it has to do with food, I seem to lose myself in it. With all that focus on cooking and baking, that means that I also spend a lot of time shopping – and one of my favorite stores in Ashland is Shop ‘n Kart.

Here is one reason for my loyalty: A few years ago I was on the board of the Ashland Schools Foundation. One of my tasks was to secure donations from restaurants and grocery stores and then prepare meals for the volunteers that helped on fundraising calling nights. The very first person I approached was Eric, the manager at Shop ‘n Kart and he generously donated $100 in store credit to the cause. That was such a help for us and I have never forgotten it.

Another reason for my loyalty has to do with the employees that work there. Maybe it’s because they see me often, but I enjoy the nod of recognition and their willingness to help me when I need assistance. I am grateful that they don’t seem put out or avoid eye contact when my “questioning” face appears.

Christian is one of the employees that I have really come to appreciate. He has helped me with special requests a few times, he has a calmness about him that is admirable even when the store is slammed, but more than anything I like that he takes the time to speak with each customer and look them in the eye. That’s so very important in a world that gets busier every day.

Today I brought Christian the Apple Blueberry Pie that you see above. When I gave it to him he seemed genuinely pleased. As I told him about the pie project he said he was happy to be a part of this year of pies. Then he told me that yesterday was his birthday… and so of course I wished him a Happy Birthday. And now I would like to offer this quote from Jonathan Swift, “May you live all the days of your life.”

And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln